System and method for direct manipulation of a triangular distribution of information using a graphical user interface

ABSTRACT

A system and method are provided for direct manipulation of a triangular distribution of information using a graphical user interface. The system includes a graphical user interface for receiving user inputted values. The system further includes a data calculator for generating estimates based on the user inputted values, and for generating curves for display on a grid based on at least one of, the user inputted values and the estimates. The graphical user interface respectively receives the user inputted values based at least on a current position of a pointer on the grid. The graphical user interface is capable of applying a direct manipulation, based at least on the current position of the pointer on the grid, to at least one of the user inputted values and the estimates, such that a result of the direct manipulation is displayed on the grid.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to the manipulation of financialinformation and, more particularly, to a system and method for directmanipulation of a triangular distribution of information using agraphical user interface.

2. Description of the Related Art

Estimating financial data such as the cost of a project or the expectedrevenue of that project, even when well informed, is a difficult processwith a high degree of error. A method of capturing triangulardistributions around such estimates allows for the specification of notonly one estimate for a given data point, but an upper and lower boundon that estimate. This allows for a specification of the uncertainty ofthe given estimate. Unfortunately, this involves entering three separateestimates for any given data point.

Typically these data points are input into a spreadsheet or database tobe used in various calculations or simulations. Entering these numbersby hand is tedious and error-prone. For most simulations, a continuousset of data is desired, for example, for every quarter over a given timeperiod (e.g., a five year period). In this example, three estimates foreach quarter over a five year period would require entering sixty valuesby hand. Those sixty values only correspond to one variable. Moreover,adjusting these estimates, once entered, can be a very cumbersome task.

SUMMARY

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantagesare provided through the provision of a system and method for directmanipulation of a triangular distribution of information using agraphical user interface.

According to an aspect of the present principles, there is provided asystem. The system includes a graphical user interface for receiving oneor more user inputted values. The system further includes a datacalculator for generating one or more estimates based on the one or moreuser inputted values, and for generating one or more curves for displayon a grid based on at least one of, at least one of the one or more userinputted values and at least one of the one or more estimates. Thegraphical user interface respectively receives the one or more userinputted values based at least on a current position of a pointer on thegrid. The graphical user interface is capable of applying a directmanipulation, based at least on the current position of the pointer onthe grid, to at least one of, at least one of the one or more userinputted values and at least one of the one or more estimates, such thata result of the direct manipulation is displayed on the grid.

According to another aspect of the present principles, there is provideda method. The method includes respectively receiving one or more userinputted values based on a current position of a pointer on a grid. Thepointer corresponds to a graphical user interface. The method furtherincludes generating one or more estimates based on the one or more userinputted values. The method also includes creating one or more curvesfor display on a grid based on at least one of, at least one of the oneor more user inputted values and at least one of the one or moreestimates. The method additionally includes applying a directmanipulation, based at least on the current position of the pointer onthe grid, to at least one of, at least one of the one or more userinputted values and at least one of the one or more estimates, such thata result of the direct manipulation is displayed on the grid.

These and other features and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof,which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The disclosure will provide details in the following description ofpreferred embodiments with reference to the following figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an exemplary system 100 for directmanipulation of triangular distributions of information using agraphical user interface, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent principles;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an exemplary computer system 200capable of implementing direct manipulation of triangular distributionsof information using a graphical user interface, in accordance with anembodiment of the present principles;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing an exemplary method 300 for directmanipulation of a triangular distribution of financial information usinga graphical user interface, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent principles;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating another exemplary method 400 fordirectly manipulating a triangular distribution of financial informationusing a graphical user interface, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present principles;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 500 fordisplaying triangular distributions of financial information generatedin accordance with the present principles;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary grid 600 having threetriangular distributions thereon, to which the present principles may beapplied, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary probability distributioncorresponding to a net present value for a project under evaluation, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present principles; and

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary bubble chart for multipleprojects under evaluation, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent principles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now in detail to the FIGURES in which like numerals representthe same or similar elements and initially to FIG. 1, an exemplarysystem 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles isshown for direct manipulation of triangular distributions of informationusing a graphical user interface.

In an embodiment, the system 100 includes a graphical user interface(GUI) 110, a data calculator 120, a memory 130, and a display device140. The graphical user interface 110 is configured to receive inputsfrom a user for inputting into the system 100, as described in furtherdetail herein below. The data calculator 120 is operatively coupled tothe graphical user interface 110, and is configured to perform datacalculations with respect to at least the user inputs received using thegraphical user interface 110. In an embodiment, such calculationsinvolve generating estimates of one or more values based on the userinputs. Moreover, the data calculator 120 is capable of generating oneor more curves based on the user inputs and/or the estimates, as well asgenerating data for probability distributions and bubble charts asdescribed herein. The memory 130 may be used to store one or more of theuser inputs, the estimates, curve data, and pixel data representing anyof the preceding. The display device 140 may be used to display one ormore of the user inputs, the estimates, and curve data. The displaydevice 140 may display the preceding based on, for example, the pixeldata. Thus, for example, the memory 130 may be used to store curve datafor later use in displaying the same, for storage on another storagemedium (e.g., compact disks, etc.), for transport, and so forth. It isto be appreciated that data calculator 120 may include its own memory,or may work in conjunction with memory 130 to implement the presentprinciples. For example, programming code may be stored in a memory thatis part of data calculator 120 and/or may be stored in memory 130, withsuch programming code directed to implementing the present principles.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary computer system 200 is showncapable of implementing direct manipulation of triangular distributionsof information using a graphical user interface in accordance with anembodiment of the present principles.

The computer system 200 includes at least one processor (CPU) 202operatively coupled to other components via a system bus 204. A readonly memory (ROM) 206, a random access memory (RAM) 208, a displayadapter 210, an I/O adapter 212, a user interface adapter 214, a soundadapter 270, and a network adapter 298, are operatively coupled to thesystem bus 204.

A display device 216 is operatively coupled to system bus 104 by displayadapter 210. A disk storage device (e.g., a magnetic or optical diskstorage device) 218 is operatively coupled to system bus 204 by I/Oadapter 212.

A mouse 220 and keyboard 222 are operatively coupled to system bus 204by user interface adapter 214. The mouse 220 and keyboard 222 are usedto input and output information to and from system 200.

At least one speaker (herein after “speaker”) 285 is operatively coupledto system bus 204 by sound adapter 299.

A (digital and/or analog) modem 296 is operatively coupled to system bus204 by network adapter 298.

It is to be appreciated that, for example, at least display 216, keypad222 and/or mouse 220 may correspond to graphical user interface 110shown in FIG. 1. Moreover, at least CPU 202, and a memory including, butnot limited to, ROM 206, RAM 208, and/or disk storage device 218 maycorresponding to data calculator 120 shown in FIG. 1. Further, at leasta memory such as, for example, ROM 206, RAM 208, and/or disk storagedevice 218 may correspond to memory 130 shown in FIG. 1. Of course,display device 216 may correspond to display device 140 shown in FIG. 1.In this way, a general purpose computer may be used to implement thepresent principles. In such a case, many components of a general purposecomputer may not be necessary to implement the present principles and,thus, may be omitted, including, but not limited to, sound adapter 270and speaker 285, as well as network adapter 298 and modem 296. Ofcourse, such elements may still be configured to operate in accordancewith the present principles. For example, sound adapter 270 and speaker285 may be configured to provide an audible verification of the receipt(input) of data values, the modification of data values, and so forth.Further, the network adapter 298 and the modem 296 may be used, forexample, to either receive user inputs in the case that the graphicaluser interface is implemented remotely with respect to the displaydevice 216 included in system 200. Additionally, network adapter 298 andmodem 296 may be used to transport data generated in accordance with thepresent principles (e.g., estimates, curves, and so forth) to a remotedisplay device. Given the teachings of the present principles providedherein, these and other variations and configurations of the elementscapable of implementing the present principles are readily contemplatedby one of ordinary skill in this and related arts, while maintaining thespirit of the present principles.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exemplary method 300 is shown for directmanipulation of a triangular distribution of financial information usinga graphical user interface, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent principles.

It is to be appreciated that one or more of the following steps ofmethod 300 may also include the displaying of any data generatedthereby, where such data may include, but is not limited to, specificvalues (also referred to herein as “data points”), variable names,curves (including triangular distribution curves), probabilitydistributions, and bubble charts.

The method 300 includes receiving one or more user inputs directed toand/or otherwise specifying one or more values for use in generating oneor more curves (step 310). Such values may be specific known valuesand/or estimates. For example, time constraints are likely to bespecific know values, while costs, particularly over a given timeperiod, are likely to be estimates, unless they are fixed constraints(which would likely to apply to upper bound values in such a case). Inan embodiment, such curves may correspond to triangular distributions.The user inputs are received, for example, using the graphical userinterface 110.

The user inputs may relate, but are not limited to, financialinformation. Moreover, the user inputs may relate, but are not limitedto, triangular distributions. In the case of curve generation, two userinput values, corresponding to a start value and an end value areprovided by a user. The start value and the end value provided by theuser may correspond to the start value and the end value of a particularcurve. However, it is to be appreciated that in some cases, a user mayonly provide a single input value such as, for example, when a secondvalue not specified by the user is considered to be a default value. Forexample, certain types of curves may have a default start value, defaultend value, and so forth.

The triangular distributions have an expected (or middle) value, a lowerbound (e.g., a worst case value), and an upper bound (e.g., a best casevalue). In an embodiment, a triangular distribution(s) may relate, butare not limited to, at least one of revenue, development cost, andmaintenance cost. In an embodiment, a first user input may specify aparticular variable (e.g., by variable name, etc.) to be modified (inthe case of existing, and hence, defined data) or to be defined (in thecase of previously undefined data), and a second user input may specifya value for that particular variable. Moreover, additional user inputsmay specify a lower bound and an upper bound for the (middle) valueentered, for example, as the second user input.

At step 320, one or more estimates are generated from the user inputs.For example, in the case that the user inputs provided at step 310specified a start value and an end value corresponding to a curve to begenerated, interpolation may be used at step 320 to generate one or moreestimates for filling in the values in between the start value and theend value provided by the user. Moreover, in the case that the userspecified not only the start value and end value for a particular curveto be generated, but also a lower bound and an upper bound for both thestart value and the end value, one or more estimates may also begenerated for filling in the values for the corresponding curvescorresponding the lower bounds and upper bounds of the data points ofthe primary (or middle) curve. The estimates generated by step 320 maybe so generated by, for example, data calculator 120.

At step 330, one or more curves are generated using, for example, one ormore of the user input values provided at step 310 and/or the estimatesgenerated at step 320. Such curves may correspond to one or moretriangular distributions. For example, in the case of triangulardistributions, three separate curves are generated for eachdistribution. Each curve may have a horizontal axis corresponding totime (for example, in quarters, or some other time unit), and a verticalaxis corresponding to money (for example, dollars, or some other unit ofmoney). A grid showing exemplary triangular distributions to which thepresent principles may be applied is described herein below with respectto FIG. 6.

Alternatively (in the case that the curves generated at step 330 may notbe displayed), or in addition to step 330, at step 340, a probabilitydistribution is generated for each triangular distribution. In anembodiment, the probability distribution may represent, but is notlimited to, the net present value (NPV). A grid showing an exemplaryprobability distribution in accordance with an embodiment of the presentprinciples is described herein below with respect to FIG. 7.

Alternatively, or in addition to step 330 and/or step 340, at step 350,one or more bubble chart(s) are generated based on the user input valuesprovided at step 310, the estimates generated at step 320, the curvesgenerated at step 330, and/or the probability distribution generated atstep 340. In an embodiment, a bubble chart may be generated for eachgraph (i.e., each triangular distribution which includes three curves).An exemplary bubble chart in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent principles is described herein below with respect to FIG. 8.

At step 360, one or more additional user inputs are received, formodifying one or more existing values either previously provided by theuser and/or estimated at any of the preceding steps (including but notlimited to step 320).

At step 370, based on the additional user inputs provided at step 360,one or more of the curves (and, hence, any corresponding triangulardistribution associated therewith), probability distributions, andbubble charts are dynamically modified for at least one of storage (forexample, for subsequent display) and/or essentially contemporaneousdisplay.

It should be understood that the elements shown in the FIGURES may beimplemented in various forms of hardware, software or combinationsthereof. Preferably, these elements are implemented in software on oneor more appropriately programmed general-purpose digital computershaving a processor and memory and input/output interfaces.

Embodiments of the present invention can take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodimentincluding both hardware and software elements. In a preferredembodiment, the present invention is implemented in software, whichincludes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode,etc.

Furthermore, the invention can take the form of a computer programproduct accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable mediumproviding program code for use by or in connection with a computer orany instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description,a computer-usable or computer readable medium can be any apparatus thatmay include, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program foruse by or in connection with the instruction execution system,apparatus, or device. The medium can be an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (orapparatus or device) or a propagation medium. Examples of acomputer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solid state memory,magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and an opticaldisk. Current examples of optical disks include compact disk—read onlymemory (CD-ROM), compact disk—read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode may include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectlyto memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can includelocal memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulkstorage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at leastsome program code to reduce the number of times code is retrieved frombulk storage during execution. Input/output or I/O devices (includingbut not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) may becoupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/Ocontrollers.

Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the dataprocessing system to become coupled to other data processing systems orremote printers or storage devices through intervening private or publicnetworks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of thecurrently available types of network adapters.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” ofthe present principles, as well as other variations thereof, means thata particular feature, structure, characteristic, and so forth describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the present principles. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” or “in an embodiment”, as well any other variations,appearing in various places throughout the specification are notnecessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

It is to be appreciated that the use of any of the following “/”,“and/or”, and “at least one of”, for example, in the cases of “A/B”, “Aand/or B” and “at least one of A and B”, is intended to encompass theselection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of thesecond listed option (B) only, or the selection of both options (A andB). As a further example, in the cases of “A, B, and/or C” and “at leastone of A, B, and C”, such phrasing is intended to encompass theselection of the first listed option (A) only, or the selection of thesecond listed option (B) only, or the selection of the third listedoption (C) only, or the selection of the first and the second listedoptions (A and B) only, or the selection of the first and third listedoptions (A and C) only, or the selection of the second and third listedoptions (B and C) only, or the selection of all three options (A and Band C). This may be extended, as readily apparent by one of ordinaryskill in this and related arts, for as many items listed.

While the present principles are primarily described herein with respectto financial applications in general, and to revenue, development cost,and maintenance cost, in further exemplary embodiments, it is to beappreciated that the present principles are not limited to solelyfinancial applications, let alone the specific examples thereofdescribed herein and, thus, may be applied to other applications, asreadily contemplated by one of ordinary skill in this and related arts,given the teachings of the present principles provided herein, whilemaintaining the spirit of the present principles. For example, othertypes of financial distributions (e.g., other than revenue, developmentcost, and maintenance cost) as well as non-financial distributions, maybe used in accordance with the present principles. Such non-financialdistributions include, but are not limited to, any instance where valuecan be represented in relative terms such that one expression of valuecan be compared with another expression of value and judged to be ofgreater, lesser or equal value. This may include such terms as qualityof life, yield from crops, productivity, customer satisfaction, and soforth.

Moreover, it is to be appreciated that while the present principles areprimarily described herein with respect to triangular distributions ingeneral, of course, the present principles are not limited to solelytriangular distributions and, thus, may be readily applied to othertypes of distributions, as readily understood by one of ordinary skillin this and related arts, given the teachings of the present principlesprovided herein, while maintaining the spirit of the present principles.

With respect to user inputs, the following is provided for a generalexplanation thereof, following by a particular example set forth withrespect to FIG. 4. Initially, a two dimensional grid may be presented tothe user. The horizontal axis represents time, such as, but not limitedto, a financial time frame in quarters starting with zero quarter andextending to the desired duration. The vertical axis represents theamount of money considered, starting from zero and extending verticallyto the desired maximum.

To input financial data, the user first selects which variable is to beentered, choosing from one of the following selections: revenue,development cost, or maintenance cost.

Then the user moves the mouse over the grid to the quarter and moneyamount desired. The user presses the left mouse button to place a pointon the grid and enter a value into the array of values for the selectedvariable. If a value currently exists for that variable for the selectedquarter, then the existing value is replaced with the new value. If theuser keeps the left mouse button pressed while moving the mouse, thevertical movement of the mouse will shift the money amount entered tomatch the vertical position of the mouse on the grid. The user continuesto input additional financial values in the same manner. The user mayfreely change between entering any of the three variables.

As additional values are input, a smooth curve is drawn between thepoints input for a given variable. If there is a gap between the pointsentered by the user, then the smooth curve is used to interpolate theintervening points.

Once a point has been input of a given quarter, the user may enter anupper or lower bound for that point by moving the mouse to a point aboveor below that point and pressing the shift key while simultaneouslypressing the left mouse button. If the user keeps both the shift key andthe left mouse button pressed while simultaneously moving the mousevertically, the corresponding upper or lower bound will shift to matchthe vertical position of the mouse.

With respect to curve generation, three smooth curves are drawn betweenthe points entered for a given variable, one each for the upper, middle,and lower values. The curves may be determined in any of a number ofways such as, but not limited to, using a spline(s). In an embodiment, aseries of connected Bezier curves are used to join pairs of points.

With respect to value interpolation, if there is a gap between thepoints entered for a given variable, the flow of the curve between theactual points entered is used to determine the intervening values. Inthe case of a Bezier curve, the curve is followed between points enteredby the user. Whenever the curve crosses a quarter for which no value hasbeen entered, the intersection point of the curve and the quarter on thegrid determine the value for that point.

Of course, the present principles are not limited solely to the specificdetails of the value selection/modification process and curve generationprocess described herein, and variations and other implementationsthereof may be readily contemplated and implemented by one of ordinaryskill in this and related arts, given the teachings of the presentprinciples provided herein, while maintaining the spirit of the presentprinciples.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating another method 400 for directlymanipulating a triangular distribution of financial information using agraphical user interface, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent principles.

At step 402, triangular distributions are selected for directmanipulation, where such triangular distributions include and/or areotherwise directed to revenue, development cost, and maintenance cost.

At step 404, two or more inputs relating to the number of quarters(num_quarters) and a maximum bound on money (max_money) are received,for use in respectively setting a maximum value for a horizontal axisand a maximum value for a vertical axis of a graph (also interchangeablyreferred to herein as “grid”) to be generated and/or modified.

At step 406, a grid is displayed having a horizontal axis representingquarters and a maximum value of the horizontal axis corresponding to thevalue of num_quarters provided at step 404, and having a vertical axisrepresenting money and a maximum value of the vertical axiscorresponding to the value of max_money provided at step 404.

At step 408, a user input (variable_to_modify) is received directed tomodifying a particular variable shown in the grid.

At step 410, it is determined whether the mouse pointer (hereinafterpointer) is currently over the grid.

If so, then the method 400 continues to step 412. Otherwise, the method400 returns to step 408.

At step 412, a temporary point, dependent upon the current position ofthe pointer is identified, where the current vertical grid position ofthe pointer represents a particular money value (moneypos), and thecurrent horizontal grid position of the pointer represents a particularquarter (quarter).

At step 414, the temporary point is displayed on the grid.

At step 416, it is determined whether the mouse button is pressed.

If so, then the method 400 proceeds to step 418. Otherwise, the method400 returns to step 408.

At step 418, it is determined which mouse button is pressed. If the leftmouse button is pressed, the method 300 proceeds to step 420. Otherwise,if the right mouse button is pressed, the method proceeds to step 426.

At step 420, it is determined whether the shift key is pressed. If so,then the method 400 proceeds to step 422. Otherwise, the method 400proceeds to step 428.

At step 422, it is determined whether moneypos is less thanvariable_to_modify[quarter], with respect to the middle (e.g., expected)value thereof.

If so, then the method 400 proceeds to step 424. Otherwise, the method400 proceeds to step 430.

At step 424, a data point for the lower (worst case value) curve in atriangular distribution is set, where a location of the data point onthe curve (indicating exactly which data point) is set based on acurrent horizontal grid position of the pointer and a value for thatdata point is set based on a current vertical grid position of thepointer, and the method 400 returns to step 408.

At step 426, a particular value of a data point on a curve in atriangular distribution is unset, where the particular value that is tobe unset is determined based on a current horizontal grip position ofthe pointer, and the method returns to step 408.

At step 428, a data point for the middle (expected value) curve in atriangular distribution is set, where a location of the data point onthe curve (indicating exactly which data point) is set based on acurrent horizontal grid position of the pointer and a value for thatdata point is set based on a current vertical grid position of thepointer, and the method 400 returns to step 408.

At step 430, a data point for the upper (best case value) curve in atriangular distribution is set, where a location of the data point onthe curve (indicating exactly which data point) is set based on acurrent horizontal grid position of the pointer and a value for thatdata point is set based on a current vertical grid position of thepointer, and the method 400 returns to step 408.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 500 fordisplaying triangular distributions of financial information generatedin accordance with the present principles.

At step 505, triangular distributions are selected for processing, wheresuch triangular distributions include and/or are otherwise directed torevenue, development cost, and maintenance cost.

At step 510, for each triangular distribution[ ] three separate curvesare created, namely an upper curve, a middle curve, and a lower curve,which may respectively correspond to best case values, expected values,and word case values.

At step 515, for each curve, a smooth curve (spline) is drawn throughall specified data points.

At step 520, for each curve, replace missing quarterly data withinterpolated data from the smooth curve.

At step 525, each curve is displayed on a grid.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary grid 600 having threetriangular distributions thereon, to which the present principles may beapplied, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles.

The horizontal axis of the grid 600 represents time, and the verticalaxis represents money. The triangular distributions are configured toallow a user to navigate over the triangular distributions, for example,using a mouse in order to see a specific value corresponding to theparticular current location at which the mouse pointer is located,and/or to readily insert a new value and/or modify an existing value.

The three triangular distributions respectively correspond to costbenefit 610, development cost 620, and maintenance cost 630, for aproject under evaluation. As described above, one or more values of anyof the curves in any of the triangular distributions may be readilymodified using a graphical user interface, in accordance with thepresent principles. It is to be appreciated that any units of time andmoney may be used in accordance with the teachings of the presentprinciples.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary probability distribution700 corresponding to a net present value (NPV) for a project underevaluation, in accordance with an embodiment of the present principles.

Different colors, shadings, or other indicators may be used to “flag”(highlight) the values in the probability distribution 700 that indicatethat a particular project represented by the probability distribution700 will lose money 710 or make money 720. A vertical line 730dissecting the probability distribution 700 represents an expectedvalue. The probability distribution 700 is configured to allow a user tonavigate over the probability distribution 700, for example, using amouse in order to see a specific value corresponding to the particularcurrent location at which the mouse pointer is located.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary bubble chart 800 formultiple projects under evaluation, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present principles.

In the bubble chart 800, the horizontal axis represents expected risk,and the vertical axis represents expected value. Moreover, the size ofeach respective bubble indicates the relative cost of a correspondingone of the multiple projects and, thus, provides a quick way ofdetermining which projects having a higher or lower cost relative to theother projects in the bubble chart 800. For example, a large bubble inthe bubble chart 800 indicates a larger cost relative to a smallerbubble in the bubble chart 800. The bubble chart 800 is configured toallow a user to navigate over the bubble chart 800, for example, using amouse in order to see a specific value corresponding to the particularcurrent location at which the mouse pointer is located. In theembodiment of a bubble chart as shown in FIG. 8, values occurring abovethe horizontal line that segments the chart are positive values, whilevalues occurring below that horizontal line are negative values. Ofcourse, other arrangements are possible and within the scope of thepresent principles.

Hence, in accordance with the present principles, a system and methodfor direct manipulation of distributions (e.g., but not limited to,triangular distributions) of information (e.g., but not limited to,financial information) using a graphical user interface. Using thepresent invention, data/estimates can be rapidly entered and then easilymanipulated once entered. If a continuum of data is desired, theninterpolation between entered points via, for example, a spline curve,can be used to fill in missing gaps. Thus, by entering a few data pointsdirectly on the graph, a complete set of estimates can be input.

Entering the upper and lower estimates can be done easily using the sametechniques, by directly manipulating the curves on the graph.

Multiple variables can be input on the same graphical user interfaceusing the above described techniques by fixing (modifying to a currentdesired value) the previously entered data and allowing directmanipulation of the estimates of one variable at a time or as a group(the latter, for example, occurring when a data point such as an endpoint is manipulated).

These and other features and advantages of the present principles arereadily apparent to one of ordinary skill in this and related arts,given the teachings of the present principles provided herein.

Having described preferred embodiments of a system and method (which areintended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted thatmodifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the artin light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood thatchanges may be made in the particular embodiments disclosed which arewithin the scope and spirit of the invention as outlined by the appendedclaims. Having thus described aspects of the invention, with the detailsand particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed anddesired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a graphical user interfacefor receiving user inputted values, the graphical user interface havingat least a display device with a grid and a pointer depicted thereon,the grid having a time axis and a value axis, the value axisrepresenting a plurality of user selectable candidate values, saidvalues being a subset of the user inputted values, based on a currentposition of the pointer on the grid, the pointer being positionable bythe user via the graphical user interface; and a data calculator forgenerating estimates based on the user inputted values, and forgenerating three curves for display on the grid based on at least oneof, the user inputted values and the estimates, wherein the three curvescomprise a first, a second, and a third curve representing a triangulardistribution and respectively corresponding to expected values for agiven item under evaluation, upper bounds with respect to the expectedvalues, and lower bounds with respect to the expected values; whereinsaid graphical user interface is capable of applying a directmanipulation, based at least on the current position of the pointer onthe grid, to at least one of the user inputted values and the estimates,such that a result of the direct manipulation is displayed on the grid,and wherein said graphical user interface enables a user to entertriplets corresponding to an expected value, an upper bound for theexpected value, and a lower bound for the expected value, based at leaston the current position of the pointer on the grid.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the graphical user interface is further configured tomodify at least one of the one or more curves based on the directmanipulation.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the triangulardistribution comprises three triangular distributions respectivelycorresponding to revenue, development cost, and maintenance cost for agiven project under evaluation, and the first curve, the second curve,and the third curve are respectively generated for each one of the threetriangular distributions.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said datacalculator uses interpolation to generate the estimates to fill insmooth curve values in between another value and at least one of theuser inputted values based on a flow between the other value and the atleast one user inputted value.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein theother value is another one of the user inputted values.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said data calculator is further for generating one ormore probability distributions for at least one of the curves, each ofthe one or more probability distributions indicating a net present valuefor a particular item under evaluation.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein said data calculator generates at least one of the one or morecurves for a first project under consideration, and generates at leastone other of the one or more curves for a second project underevaluation, and wherein said data calculator is further for generating abubble chart collectively for the first and the second project, whereina horizontal axis of the bubble chart represents an expected projectrisk, a vertical axis of the bubble chart represents an expected projectvalue, and a size of a respective bubble for each of the first and thesecond projects indicate a relative cost thereof.
 8. The system of claim1, wherein said graphical user interface allows a user to navigate overthe grid on which the one or more curves are superimposed and enter newvalues for insertion into the one or more curves based at least on thecurrent position of the pointer on the grid.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein said data calculator generates data for three views eachcorresponding to an item under evaluation from the user inputted values,wherein a first view comprises at least one triangular distribution forat least one of revenue, development cost, and maintenance cost, asecond view comprises at least one probability distributioncorresponding to at least one of the at least triangular distributionand indicating a net present value, and a third view comprises at leastone bubble chart for indicating expected risk versus expected value. 10.The system of claim 9, wherein values in any of the views are directlymanipulated based at least on the current position of the pointer on thegrid.
 11. A method, comprising: respectively receiving user inputtedvalues based on a current position of a pointer on a grid, the pointercorresponding to a graphical user interface, the graphical userinterface having at least a display device with the grid and the pointerdepicted thereon, the grid having a time axis and a value axis, thevalue axis representing a plurality of candidate values from which auser selects at least some of the user inputted values based on thecurrent position of the pointer on the grid, the pointer beingpositionable by the user via the graphical user interface; generatingestimates based on the user inputted values; creating three curves fordisplay on the grid based on at least one of the user inputted valuesand the estimates, wherein the three curves comprise a first, a second,and a third curve representing a triangular distribution andrespectively corresponding to expected values for a given item underevaluation, upper bounds with respect to the expected values, and lowerbounds with respect to the expected values; and applying a directmanipulation, based at least on the current position of the pointer onthe grid, to at least one of the user inputted values and the estimates,such that a result of the direct manipulation is displayed on the gridand enters triplets corresponding to an expected value, an upper boundfor the expected value, and a lower bound for the expected value, basedat least on the current position of the pointer on the grid.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, where a result of the direct manipulation comprisesa modification of at least one of the one or more curves.
 13. The methodof claim 11, wherein the triangular distribution comprises threetriangular distributions respectively corresponding to revenue,development cost, and maintenance cost for a given project underevaluation, and the first curve, the second curve, and the third curveare respectively generated for each one of the three triangulardistributions.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein said generating stepcomprises interpolating to generate the estimates to fill in smoothcurve values in between another value and at least one of the userinputted values based on a flow between the other value and the at leastone user inputted value.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the othervalue is another one of the user inputted values.
 16. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising generating one or more probabilitydistributions for at least one of the curves, each of the one or moreprobability distributions indicating a net present value for aparticular item under evaluation.
 17. The method of claim 11, whereinsaid creating step create at least one of the one or more curves for afirst project under consideration, and creates at least one other of theone or more curves for a second project under evaluation, and whereinthe method further comprises generating a bubble chart collectively forthe first and the second project, wherein a horizontal axis of thebubble chart represents an expected project risk, a vertical axis of thebubble chart represents an expected project value, and a size of arespective bubble for each of the first and the second projects indicatea relative cost thereof.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprisingreceiving additional user inputted values for insertion into the one ormore curves based at least on the current position of the pointer on thegrid.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating data forthree views each corresponding to an item under evaluation from the userinputted values, wherein a first view comprises at least one triangulardistribution for at least one of revenue, development cost, andmaintenance cost, a second view comprises at least one probabilitydistribution corresponding to at least one of the at least triangulardistribution and indicating a net present value, and a third viewcomprises at least one bubble chart for indicating expected risk versusexpected value.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein values in any of theviews are capable of direct manipulation based at least on the currentposition of the pointer on the grid.
 21. A computer readable mediumstoring a computer readable program, wherein the computer readableprogram when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform thesteps of: respectively receiving user inputted values based on a currentposition of a pointer on a grid, the pointer corresponding to agraphical user interface, the graphical user interface having at least adisplay device with the grid and the pointer depicted thereon, the gridhaving a time axis and a value axis, the value axis representing aplurality of candidate values from which a user selects at least some ofthe user inputted values based on the current position of the pointer onthe grid, the pointer being positionable by the user via the graphicaluser interface; generating estimates based on the user inputted values;creating three curves for display on the grid based on at least one of,the user inputted values and the estimates, wherein the three curvescomprise a first, a second, and a third curve representing a triangulardistribution and respectively corresponding to expected values for agiven item under evaluation, upper bounds with respect to the expectedvalues, and lower bounds with respect to the expected values; andapplying a direct manipulation, based at least on the current positionof the pointer on the grid, to at least one of the user inputted valuesand the estimates, such that a result of the direct manipulation isdisplayed on the grid and enters triplets corresponding to an expectedvalue, an upper bound for the expected value, and a lower bound for theexpected value, based at least on the current position of the pointer onthe grid.